Our History
Compassion in Action began as a result of the needs in Central America created by the devastation of Hurricane Mitch. In January 1999, the first construction/medical mission teams were named the "Central America Relief Teams of Yakima Valley", from Washington state. A team of six traveled to El Salvador and a team of eight to Nicaragua. Both teams joined with locals to give professional medical help, feed those threatened by starvation, and build replacement housing for those who were made homeless by Hurricane Mitch.
Compassion in Action was founded as a charitable non profit 501 (c) 3 corporation by Rod Krueger, in July of 1999. Today the current C in A Directors are Rod and Karen Krueger, Abner Solano and Rob Crandall.
Initially, the main focus centered on meeting medical and basic needs. From there, a Nicaraguan pastor was brought in and a church was formed in Ciudad Dario. Realizing a need also for a school in Ciudad Dario, Nicaragua was evident, Compassion in Action worked together with Equip missionary Henry Vargas and the locals to make this happen.
In 2004, the first official Compassion in Action school was constructed. In a small town north of the capital city of Managua, Ciudad Dario became home to the Dario Christian Academy. A couple of years later, a second school administrated by Henry and Judy Vargas, the Managua Christian Academy, was built in Managua. Today, both schools combined provide a solid Christian education to over 450 children.
To date, Compassion in Action has facilitated more than 17 short-term mission trips, with objectives ranging from medical care to Bible teaching to playground equipment installation. Team members have included pastors, building contractors, a civil engineer, college students, doctors, nurses, a public health nurse, an ER medic, farmers, an auto mechanic, a crop irrigation specialist, translators, teachers, and a well driller.